Bridging Brown County awards Bridge Builder 2012

Friday

Nov 30, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Bridging Brown County awarded Wally Schmiesing with the 2012 Bridge Builder Award on Thursday Nov. 15, at their annual fundraising banquet held at the Comfrey Community Center. The Bridge Builder Award is given to a person each year who has exemplified his or her volunteering and dedication to their church, community and the county. The award began in 2007.

Bridging Brown County awarded Wally Schmiesing with the 2012 Bridge Builder Award on Thursday Nov. 15, at their annual fundraising banquet held at the Comfrey Community Center. The Bridge Builder Award is given to a person each year who has exemplified his or her volunteering and dedication to their church, community and the county. The award began in 2007.

The award was presented to Wally by Jim Lilleodden, Vice Chairman of Bridging Brown County.

Some of Wally’s accomplishments include; he and his wife, Inez, have hosted 13 International students through the U of M Agricultural Student Trainee Program. In this program, students spend March through November on their farm learning the farming trade, and then studied at the University the following winter quarter.

Wally has also been active in the Brown County Farm Bureau.

He served Lake Hanska Lutheran Church in many capacities, and gave leadership in the formation of Prairieland Lutheran Parish.

He served on the Lake Hanska Preservation and Improvement Council, which eventually accomplished the dredging of Lake Hanska.

Wally participated in the Blandin Leadership Program, and served on the Bridging Brown County Board.

He served on the Region 9 Council, and was trained in Senior Insurance Counseling, working with seniors on their insurance options.

Wally also served on the Brown County REA Board for 27 years, several as president.

He served on the Governing Boards of Madelia Community Hospital and Luther Memorial Home in Madelia.

He also served on the Committee planning Brown County’s 150th Anniversary, and was delegate to National AMPI Conventions in San Antonio, Tex.

Approximately 120 people attended the event that was catered by GoodFellaz Bar & Grill of Comfrey. The Community Center was decorated for fall by Kelli Jenson of Comfrey. The live auction raised over $3,056 dollars for the local non-profit organization.